COXIELLA-BURNETII ANTIBODIES IN CALVES CONCENTRATED IN A LARGE-CAPACITY CALF HOUSE IN AN AREA WITH ENDEMIC INCIDENCE OF Q-FEVER

A total of 539 calves in a large-capacity calf house in the district of Strakonice (Czech Republic) were examined serologically for Coxiella burnetii antibodies in 1988-1990 using the complement-fixation test. The antibodies were detected in 6% (3.6 to 8.4%, 95% confidence limits) of calves up to 14 days of age, in 1.5% (0.3 to 2.7%, 95% confidence limits) of calves aged 3 months and in no animals aged 6 months. The calves showing antibodies after arrival at the large-capacity calf house within 14 days of age came from 13 different farms of the district. It is concluded that calves are not responsible for the spread of Q fever in herds even under the open-turnover system.